POULTRY KEEPING.

Auckland Star, Volume 55, Issue 212, 6 September 1924, Page 20

POULTRY KEEPING.

(BY H. J. TERET.) TO CORRESPONDENTS. - H. 8.8. (Epsom) asks how long eggs can safely be kept for sitting?— Three or lour weeks, If they are kept In a fairly cool room and turned every few days. I have kept eggs for tsU week and then hai a good hatch. E.T.—Would advise yon writing to the circle direct. I do not care to adrise you. H.H. (Te Awanmto). —Yonr letter evidently went astray. I am writing you, but I am afraid the Idea would not be a commercial OttCIIARDIST (Hnapai) writes that Do I seriously consider poultry could be kept in conjunction with orchardlns? How long an apprenticeship would be necessary to. serve? His son or daughter would be available for a course of training.—Poultry and orcharding go well together. In the first place, you have the valuable poultry manure as a fertiliser for your trees, the poultry can run In the orchard with benefit to the same lor, say, eight imopths In the year. The poultry need only be confined whilst the fruit Is ripening. Chicken rearing is over before fruit-picking commences. A great deal could tie -learnt in three or four weeks at this season of the yea?. There would be no trouble nbout tuition if the young people were prepared to work. Write mo If you decide to take a course of training. BROODY HENS. Success in poultry fanning is brought about chiefly by stopping what might be described as email leaks, keeping a check on the deadends. It does not i appear much of a loss to see a hen broody, but when "hens" are broody it is a different matter, and unless perpetual warfare is waged against the broody fever the profits of the commercial egg farmer will soon be diminished. A few days' neglect at this time of the year, and you may have it as high as 25 per cent of your birds broody, if you keep sitting breeds, or even crosses of the same. Hens which are distinctly broody should be removed from the nests the first day—not allowed to sit three or four days. They should be placed in a compartment or a box, the floor of which is slats or perches, ho' , that the hen cannot sit down comfortably, but must perch. Food and water should be supplied. It is not only i unwise, but also cruel, to deprive a bird of food and water for two or threw ! days to cure it of broodiness or to place it under a small box on the ground without food and water. Dipping the bird in a bucket of cold water will not j cure it of broodiness. If the birds arc well fed whilst in what might be termed the **reaking-off cage," they will start relaying in a shorter time than if they were starved. USEFUL INFORMATION. A correspondent writes that no one stems to know how coon .eggs may be saved for sitting after the birds have been mated. It may be of interest to readers generally to know that if the hens or pullets were previously unmated, the male bird was healtEy and vigorous, egge may be kept for sittings after the fourth or fifth day. Eggs remain fertile for a couple of weeks after the male bird has been removed from a pen. In fact, if you wish to change male birds you could not be sure that the eggs were being fertilised by . the second bird till the first bird had been removed for three weeks. There is no guessing about, this; I know from repeated experiments that I have carried out in the past. HOOVERS. A correspondent writes thanking mc for the information re using half small coke in the brooders' stoves, as in the book of instructions coal only is mentincd. After two or three weeks' use they find that the self-acting damper would not work, and smoke issued from under the hoover or canopy. The fifty per cent of coke will remedy the trouble to a very.great extent, but, as I mentioned previously, the coal here is quite different in character from that burnt in stoves in America. If the stovepiping were taken down and roughly cleaned out every two or three weeks, I don't think there would be any further trouble. There must be a certain amount of direct draught to support combustion when a stove is practically i filled, and if the chimney is halfblocked with a tarry deposit you are not giving the brooder a chance. Your American salesman would explain all these matters' to you. SORTING EGGS. A correspondent writes asking iif it is really necessary to test egg 3 when they are being hatched by incubators. My correspondent has looked at a number of eggs held in front of the light, and, except that some look more transparent than others, she 4oes not see any difference, and the suggestion has been made that, as you cannot place fresh eggs in the incubator to, take up the space of those you remove, why not let them all remain? I suppose there are a fair number of beginners who. have the samo thought; the Euper run. The aim should be to get at least 2J cwt of super on to each acre. Stock thrive better on pasture that has been topdressed this way, and, in addition, weeds are given much less chance to take possession. Hay taken from a topdressed field has a much higher feeding value than that which comes from non-dressed land, and thus the growth comes earlier and carries longer into the autumn. Topdressing unquestionably shortens the winter, and as a result reduces the requirements of supplementary fodders. Any time is the right time to , apply topdressings. Certainly- there is no need to wait until growth has started before applying phosphates. By putting the manure on right away the effect will be to hasten growth, and, as early feed is obviously what is wanted, the job cannot, be carried out too soon, and August should see all the topdressing work "completed, the paddocks harrowed clean, and everything in order for the next season's operations. VAJLUE OF SItAGE. The making and storing of silage for the feeding of cattle is a question which, of recent years, has caused considerable comment throughout the farming community. The importance to the owner of the silo is determined by the number of stock which require feeding. The best silage has been proved to be a mixture of maize, peas, beans, oats, vetches. Peae and beans are sown for the nitrogen they collect and are consequently invaluable as a food for dairy COWB. Vetches, as veil as being a good

but it would in most cases mean disaster to the hatch. An addled or rotten egg gives off fumes which more or leas poison the growing chicks. -These eggs may even become so bad that they explode. When the eggs have been in the incubator five or Bis days they should be tested removing those that are infertile. The infertile eggs will be found when held in front of a strong light in a darkened room, to be clear or semitransparent, while the fertile eggs will show a black speck with a system of red blood vessels radiating from it. Aβ the embryo increases in growth the egg becomes more opaque, and the air cell at the top increases in size. The eggs should be again tested about the fourteenth day, and any eggs containing dead embryos removed. This is a rather more difficult operation to the novice, especially in regard to brown shelled eggs, but it is only a case of practice, when the blood veins can be clearly seen through the shell of the egg; whereas if the embryo is dead an opaque substance can be seen and with a dull yellowish tinge, but no bright blood veins. It is important that these dead embryos be removed. If beginners cannot see the blood veins when the egg is held in front of the light and shaded by the hand then it is advisable for them to make a box, place the light inside the box and have a hole cut the size of an egg on one side of this box. The wood should be bevelled so that the egg may fit close and the light not shine round the side of the egg. TURKEYS. A Waikato correspondent asks mc to say something about turkeys and if I think they would do well in the district. The soil, being light, should be suitable for turkey rearing. I am afraid the greatest trouble may be" in the birds being stolen as they have a habit of sleeping on gates or the top rail of a fence. Having decided upon the variety of turkey, the next point is to select the breeding stock. Breed only from the best, they being wonderfully susceptible to surroundings and influences. Anything in the way of poor food, neglect, inbreeding, stale ground will hinder their growth and weaken the constitution. Turkeys will not thrive in continued confinement, an open range is necessary. Fresh ground for tho breeding stock, or rather for tho rearing of the young birds, is more essential than the class of soil. They should have an open fronted house to sleep in. Warmth is not necessary, but the roosts do not want to be in a direct draught. Their perches should be at least three inches broad with no sharp edges. A deformed breast bone is an eyesore when brought to the table. Stock turkeys should not be kept too fat or soft-shelled eggs will be the result, which they will probably eat. Oats is the best grain feed. They consumo quantities of green stuff and are very partial to turnips and mangolds. They do well on rape. From fiVe to ten hens are sufficient to mate with one gobbler. If pullets arc bred from they should be mated to a gobbler in his second year. Hens of over a year should be mated to a young cockerel. Turkey roosters arrive at maturity after the moult in their third year, after which they are not to be relied upon as stock birds. Turkey hens have been known to lay well for several years, and I-strongly advise the'keeping of a good hen as long as she continues profitable, mating her with a young and vigorous gobler. l> do not recommend a large, heavy gobbler. Some people starve the heavy gobbler, as his weight tears the sides of the hens. It is preferable to procure a medium or small sized bird. A later hatched 'bird, will be smaller, prbviding he comes of a strain which are large. It is preferable to look to the hens for size. The hen turkey generally lays 15 to 20 eggs before becoming broody. It is advisable to put seven or eight of her eggs under a reliable broody hen at the time the turkey "becomes broody. The turkey can then take all the chickg. As a rule the turkey is an excellent sitter —in fact, she is apt to starve herself by her. persistent sitting. Her crop should be examined occasionally if she will allow it, and if empty, the bird phould be removed from the nest and food placed in front of her. If the hen j has sat well the turkey chicks will begin to break the shell on the twenty-eighth day. When the chicks are two days old the mother and brood may be put in a large coup with slate in the front, through which the chicks may run out and back to the mother. Food may consist of hard boiled ecrij chopped up and mixed with ■breadcrumbs, feeding only a small quantity at a time. -Add a little srreen food, chopped dandelion, lettuce, nn'd chickweed. A custard may he made •hv beatln<r two and boiling in a little milk till stiff. Sweet curds mnv be given. mai*e meal cooked to a crumbly ttihkh. chopped onion or onioTi tons, and jL little meat should be added after the first few days. When the chicks are strong enough to follow tho mother it is advisable to give them their liberty. food, act as a smother crop to check weeds. Thd oats are sown in order to hold up the peas and beans. The following are some of the advantages of making silage; (7) labour saving when compared with roots; (2) the peas and beans are nitrogen collecting plants, by means of the nodules on their roots, and consequently 'leave the soil rich in nitrogen, which is the dearest artificial on the market; (3) the hay is reduced by half, thus, if the haymaking' season is bad this is a very important factor; (4) increased yield of milk; (5) smother crop of weeds. The use of silttge will in future revolutionise the older methods of farming ou account of the aforementioned advantages. FOR GOOD FEEDING. Recent years have brought larger knowledge of the composition of feeding stuffs. It would Eeem that the. substances, of which we had no definite knowledge a few years ago are to I become the most important consideration in choosing feeds for making satisfactory rations for farm animals. The experienced feeder knew Variety wag essential to successful feeding, but was J not advised as to the reasons until ' recent years. The results obtained by experiments in determining the relative differences in the; feeding value between various kinds of feeds emphasise the importance of the feeder paying close attention to little things. It they are ignored, it requires more feed to produce pork or milk, and may cause animals to become stunted in growth, and- unhealthy.

TO CORRESPONDENTS. GRUB (Ponsonby) writes: Last year we made a new bed and planted Chrysanthemums. Basic slag was used as a manure. Tlie plants made rapid growth, but took blight, and did not bloom. If we leave them in the same ground will they take bllgbt again? Wβ could take out the Chrysanthemums and plant Dahlias, but wonld prefer the Chrysanthemums.—lt is almost a certainty that if the Chrysanthemums are left they will blight. I Bhould advise you to lift them and plant Dahlias. Could you not try the Chrysanthemums elsewhere? G.J.S. (Tauranga) (1) sends some Anemone flowers for identification, and asks how to propagate them, as they do not set seed? (1!) What are prepared Hyacinths, as advertised in Dutch and other European catalogues!—(l) The Anemones are a eemi-doublo variety of Auemone Coronarla, and the reason of the Sowers not setting seed is because the stamers hare become petalold. The only means «f propagation would be by means of division of the roots. (2) The "prepared," as advertised by Dutch and other European bulb growers are really '•prepared" for forcing purposes by being retarded in cold storage, the result of which is that as soon as the bulbs are brought out into a warm temperature they immediately begin to send up flower spikes. This method of forcing is now applied to Lily other plant*, which are of commercial importance for cut flower purposes. G.F. (Whakntane) neks If It is true that Agaves bloom only once In fifteen years aud then die? —The Agaves very seldom bloom under ten years in the Auckland province, and they frequently die after (lowering. W.R.S. (Matamata) writes: Is it possible to distinguish in a Ten-week Stock ■whether it will produce a single or double bloom when in flower?— The double blossoms are generally produced from the medium growers, with ample fibrous roots. The singles mostly come from the strongest plants with a long tap root. lII.R. (Bemuera) asks how to bill woodlice? The best method is by using a poisoned bait such as a mixture of bran, treacle and arsenic. Traps are made by filling a flower-pot with hay and standing it bottom upwards amongst the plants. The woodllce like a dry nest and will collect in the hay during the day. Erery morning shake the hay over a bucket of hot water, the woodllce which have collected will fall out into the water. Potatoes or turnips cut in half and hollowed out and stood cut end downwards trill also act as traps. The only thing Iβ you must be persistent and continue to trap and poison until you overcome tJe Insects. If laying poison be careful to collect It every morning and keep it out of the road of animate and children. D.H. (Mount Albert) asks for information on Iceland 'Poppy cultivation, including (1) treatment of soil; (2) manuring, anil <3) how to collect seed trne to colour?— The cultivation of the Iceland Poppy pre-

same time not too light? Th o seed il would suit you best. I should advke you l°o only ,f elect one « two colours each season; if you attempt too many voo will not jet as good results. y y m if you wisa to, bat this would not have any effect on the bud-«ropplng. * BAJSISH (Takapuna) asks: (1) How to mir 'Horseradish? (2) When to set toe sfedS SSI? 2 . iL P JS P " e a plece of by trenching, using no manure. Procure sumo top of the ground all right. When i«V &*JS Carerul t0 rem every partkfe l^/w 8 ."" 7 piece wlu produce a Ts™f O * At ° aCe - {3) *°°° Wver* PARSNIPS. Parsnip* will d o on that was well manured and worked for a crop last season than on ground that is freshly manured. Applying stable manure just before sowing the seeds causes the root to become forked. Taprooted vegetables such as Parsnips, Carrots and \ong Beet will throw out lateral roots in search of particles of manure -within reach.

BORDER CARNATIONS. The Border varieties are now well advanced in growth, and the flower stems should be made secure without further lelay before they are borne down by_ the heavy flower buds. It is a tedious operation as best," but a supply of coiled wire stakes, painted green, enables the operator to make them secure at a much greater rate than by the old "method

pare the new soil. A good compost can be made of two parts loam, one part leaf mould, and a daeh of sand; but almost any good soil will genre. If the plant be turned ou\ of the pot, and the old soil shaken the roots will be found to consist of a number of creeping stems (or rhizomes) with leaves springing up at various parts as at A in the illustration. With a sharp knife cut these rhizomes into small pieces, each with three or four leaves attached, as shown at B. The pot- should be well drained, and half-filled with" sal. Then, before repotting the roots, put a stake in the pot to keep the plant in position while filling in the soil, which should 'be well worked round the roots. After these hare taken well hold of the soil, and the plant cs seen to be in growth, the stake can be withdrawn. For a plant the size illustrated a 4sin pot is best. RUNNER BEANS. Though not at all particular as to the nature of the soil, the best results are generally obtained by growing Runner Beans in trenches prepared as for Celery, as these hold moisture in dry weather, and provide an abundance of rich food for the roots to feed upon when the plants reach the bearing stage. No matter where the plants are to be grown, the ground should always be prepared some time before the seed is sown. The beginning of October is a good time to sow. Flat iVille should be drawn six inches wide and three inches deep. The seeds should be dropped four inches apart, and covered with two inches of soil, thus leaving a shallow trench to receive water later on. When the plants show an inclination to run, provide them with necessary support; stakes ten or twelve feet long, are best They should be firmly inserted at an angle on each side of the row, crossing about eighteen inches from the toi? Along the forks another stake i» placed horizontally, and the sloping stakes secured to this with tarred twine. When Runner Beans are in bearing they should be gone over carefully each day; if one pod is allowed to mature the plant will cease bearing. CROP ROTATION. Vegetables should 'be arranged in U E?'i!?* h crop or °* «ops fon °^ ei by one making somewhat different demands on the soil and leaving it in the best condition for its successor. This is the fundamental principle in all crop rotation, and if carried out intelligently, will keep the soil ma balanced condition, improve the quality and quantity of the crops increase the returns from manures plied, a nd reduce the risks of attack* by insect pests and fungoid disease The following table will Ber ve as a guide in carrying out a system of rotation, and also in applying artificials as supplements to stable manure for particular Group I.—Crops requiring chiefly fiS'Sa '"* P0t88ll: ™»&», ]»!!£ Group n.—Crops requirinjr ehieflv

THE SINGLE ASTERS. All the fine double China Asters are '- sown and grown when they are young in a moderately warmed greenhouse, but the single asters are much hardier end by deferring the sowing until now, can be regarded as hardy annuals. Their long stalks, charming colours, and long life especially fit them for cutting. A well prepared soil is essential, not only well manured but thoroughly dug. Rake the surface down finely and bow the seeds thinly, allowing two at the distance of a foot apart each way. Cover lightly with soil, and if the weather is especially dry, moisten the surface well from time to time. Germination is as a' rule fairly rapid. Plentiful bud. " plies of water must be afforded, whenever this is needed during the summer, or they will become infested with green fly, and once they are badly attacked by this they are of little value. Keep them growing vigorously, however, by -■ a generous supply of water and occasional stirring of the soil between the plants with the Dutch hoe, then very little trouble in this direction will be "experienced. They transplant well during showery times in October and should seeds fail, blanks can bo made good where both seeds have grown by transplanting one of the seedlings. SPARROWS AMD FRUIT BLOSSOMS. Where sparrows are allowed to multiply, they often prove a nuisance to the flowers of Gooseberries, Currants, - and other fruits. In England sparrows have been known to completely destroy the blossome of all Pear trees in a garden, tearing them to pieces and eating the anthers, so that fruit was impossible. They even go for the young fruits of Gooseberries. To , prevent this, thread the bushes with black cotton, which is,, perhaps, cheaper than using netting. Fix the cotton to some of the and - run it over the bushes in different directions, giving one or two twists round different shoots as the work proceeds. LAWNS AND SEA SARD. Heavy soils are often dressed with sea sand, and the grass is greatly im- - •;■' proved. This plan is often copied by \ those whose soil is sandy, but these soils cannot be improved by adding eand. x